My path has not been determined. I shall have more experiences and pass many more milestones. - Agnetha Faltskog

Gabe and Jenna Chamberland had it all - a dream home, successful careers and a beautiful baby girl. until the day Jenna finds out she has malignant breast cancer. before she loses her battle with the disease, Jenna leaves something behind for her daughter Mia by gifting her with the Milestone Tapes. author Ashley Mackler-Paternostro's writing shines with a passion that is remarkable for a first novel. her book speaks of the pain of suffering, the tragedy of loss, the triumph of the human spirit, the solace brought by forgiveness and of the enduring bond which exists between mother and child that even death cannot sever. this was a very emotional read for me. it is difficult to concentrate when your eyes get teary now and then while your fingers tremble a bit and you are hesitant to flip the pages for fear of what would happen next but unable to stop yourself from continuing because the story has drawn you deeper than you intended it to be. this was especially true during the first part of the story. Jenna's condition reminded me so much of my Mom whom i lost to cancer. i was with her during the last month of her life. i saw her fighting and trying to be strong for all of us. i witnessed her decline and it was so painful to bear, to see your loved one suffering and you can only do so much. i was there until the end when she was brought to the emergency room where after some time she could no longer go on and finally gave up...these were the memories that kept churning in my mind as i held the book in my hands. the author was able to capture all the range of emotions, the drama and the joys of the Chamberland family and the other characters. i got so involved in their experiences. they were so real and tangible that they became my own. clearly, The Milestone Tapes is one of the best, most endearing and unforgettable stories i have read so far this year and i highly commend the author for a job well done!

Disclosure of Material Connection: i received a copy of The Milestone Tapes from the author. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.